Randoms

Blazer F Dylan Willick and his family are re-locating to Kamloops for his 18 year-old season ahead. Willick and his family reside in Prince George but will be making the move this summer. Willick is already in the city training and preparing for the NHL draft just over two weeks away in Minnesota.

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- A big congratulations to former Swift Current Bronco captain Zack Smith who helped the Binghamton Senators win a Calder Cup tonight over the Houston Aeros in six games. Smith had 20 points in the playoffs. He's one of my favorite junior players over the years no doubt.

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- Speaking of favorite junior players, people who know me well know that I've always been a big Aaron Rome fan. The rugged d-man finds himself in the middle of controversy after his late hit on Boston's Nathan Horton. Even as I blog this, Sandie Rinaldo from CTV News is talking about it on the 11pm National News.

The hit drew a rather lengthy four-game suspension. I was frankly shocked to hear that number. Rome is an honest player and plays the game the right way. Granted, it's much easier for the NHL to sit a 6th defenseman down for four games than it would be to suspend a star player. There isn't much consistency in the way suspensions are handed down. A lot of it has to do with the players' status in the league.


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Twitter is great for a lot of reasons but the other night during game three of the Stanley Cup final it was good to hear the thoughts of P.G. Cougars GM Dallas Thompson and Regina Pats President Brent Parker. They had some interesting takes...or tweets regarding the officiating and the game itself.

Thompson @DallasWThompson tweeted "cancel the game stripes, game is getting too physical!" when the referees led a parade to the penalty box in the third period.

Or this from Brent Parker @PatGuy65 with the Bruins of 4-0: "Dear City Planners: please cancel our booking for all downtown streets and the use of 10 fire trucks for this Thursday. Signed Mike Gillis"

Or even this one from former WHL Head Coach Drew Schoneck who is now the Head Coach / GM of the Tri-City Storm of the USHL

"I wish Lucic would harken back to his Giants days and grab Kessler and s*#t kick him"

Brandon Wheat Kings GM Kelly McCrimmon is also on twitter... but his tweet count remained at a firm "0" as I put this post together.

Oh, and if you're on twitter you can find me @JonKeenNLSports. I'm not as fun as the three mentioned above though.


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I can only think former Chilliwack Bruins play-by-play broadcaster Randy Merkley got a raw deal. Merks never really had a chance of moving with the franchise to Victoria. It sounded like there wasn't much communication in regards to the position.





The Victoria WHL team then announced a radio deal with The Zone FM and that Dave Sawchuk would be doing the play-by-play. He's an employee of The Zone.

For Merks to have worked in two different WHL markets over the course of seven seasons I think he deserved better. Even if it was a kind and simple "Thanks...but we are going in a different direction."

I'll vouch for Merks. He's an honest guy who would be a great addition to your organization. I know he'd love to stay in the WHL.

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If you like to go to banquet fundraisers and have a few bevvies may I suggest steering clear of the in-house mic. Let the MC do his job...he doesn't need you chiming in with your thoughts or commentary.

I've been to a few events in the past - and one recently where someone after a couple or twelve cold ones feels the need to share his wisdom with everyone. He makes his way to the front podium and graces us with his two cents. It's embarrassing for that person and awkward for the folks who have to sit through it.

I'm sure you can relate to what I'm talking about.

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It's going to be a fun weekend out at Rivershore Golf Club just east of Kamloops. They're hosting the Canadian Tour's Western Championship with the first round Thursday. The club hosted the Pro-Am today.


Check the link on the right side of the page for more details. Two of the golfers in the field Adam Hadwin and Wes Heffernan recently qualified for the U.S. Open next week at Congressional.

If you're in the Kamloops Area it would be worth a visit out there.


Jon